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Naomi Osaka and Madison Keys reach US Open semi-final

Osaka becomes first Japanese woman to reach a Grand Slam semi-final in 22 years

on Day Ten of the 2018 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 5, 2018 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City.

Naomi Osaka and Madison Keys will meet in the semi-final of the US Open after progressing on Wednesday night.

Osaka reached her maiden Grand Slam semi-final with an emphatic 6-1 6-1 victory against Ukraine's unseeded Lesia Tsurenko.

Then Keys beat Carla Suarez Navarro 6-4 6-3 to reach her second consecutive semi-final at Flushing Meadows.

on Day Ten of the 2018 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 5, 2018 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City.
Image: Madison Keys reached the semi-finals for the second successive year

The 20-year-old Osaka, who becomes the first Japanese woman to advance to the last four of a major since Kimiko Date at Wimbledon in 1996, produced a ruthless display to defeat the world No 36 in 57 minutes.

Both players came into the match on the back of gruelling three-set contests but Osaka began confidently in their first tour-level meeting and never looked likely to lose against her fatigued opponent on another day of stifling heat in New York.

on Day Ten of the 2018 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 5, 2018 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City.
Image: Naomi Osaka was in dominant form on Arthur Ashe Stadium

"It really means a lot," said Osaka. "I was freaking out inside and my whole body was shaking but overall I am most proud of not breaking a racket!"

The world No 19 made a flying start in her first match on Arthur Ashe Stadium this year breaking Tsurenko, who suffered with the heat during her come-from-behind victory against Marketa Vondrousova in the fourth round, in the second game before remaining on the front foot to win the first set in 26 minutes.

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on Day Ten of the 2018 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 5, 2018 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City.
Image: Lesia Tsurenko was aiming to make history by becoming the first female Grand Slam semi-finalist from Ukraine

As with the opener, Osaka broke at the start of the second set, this time coming from 0-40 down, and even when her serve was threatened when leading 4-1 she saved three break points on her way to closing out victory in mature fashion.

Last year's finalist Keys said of Osaka: "I think we play similarly.

"I think power, obviously a big serve. I think I probably have a little bit more spin on the ball, but I think she takes time away really well.

"I don't think we will have tons of long rallies."

Did you know...

Naomi Osaka, Madison Keys and Anastasija Sevastova each have a chance to reach the Top 10 after the US Open, but will need to win the title in order to do so.

Osaka is also the youngest player to make the US Open semi-finals since Caroline Wozniacki in 2010.

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We will have news, previews, live blogs, reports and expert analysis from the US Open. On the move? Head to our app for mobile devices and iPad, or follow our Twitter account @SkySportsTennis to join in the conversation.

Tennis is back on Sky Sports screens with the Laver Cup in September while we will also have coverage of the ATP Finals in November with every match live on Sky Sports. But first, we will be across the final major of the year in New York as the US Open right through to the final with live blogs, reports, features and reaction.

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